The cat-loving Republican in NYC’s mayoral race who just won’t quit

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Curtis Sliwa, the outspoken Republican known for founding the Guardian Angels and his affinity for rescue cats, is once again running for mayor of New York City — despite mounting pressure to drop out
• Facing long odds and trailing Democratic candidates Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo in early polls, Sliwa insists he’s staying in the race to offer an alternative voice, undeterred by criticisms from figures like Donald Trump and Bill Ackman

🔭 The context: Sliwa, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2021, has remained a fixture in New York political circles and public life through his media presence and community activism
• His latest campaign emerges in a highly competitive race marked by Democratic infighting and voter frustration over public safety, affordability, and governance
• With progressive Mamdani and establishment figure Cuomo dominating the Democratic field, Sliwa is positioning himself as the underdog populist

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Urban leadership plays a critical role in shaping local sustainability policy—from transport to housing, green space, and emissions reduction
• While Sliwa’s platform emphasizes crime and quality-of-life issues, the race’s outcome will influence New York’s climate resilience and equity strategies
• The next mayor will be pivotal in implementing the city’s climate adaptation goals, infrastructure investment, and emissions commitments under NYC’s Green New Deal framework

⏭️ What's next: With primaries approaching in early 2026, candidates are ramping up outreach. Sliwa’s continued presence could draw conservative votes away from more viable challengers, potentially reshaping the final match-up
• His ability to maintain visibility — and funding — will determine whether he remains a fringe presence or a spoiler in a closely contested election

💬 One quote: “They keep calling and telling me to get out. I tell them to stop wasting their minutes—I’m not going anywhere.” – Curtis Sliwa

📈 One stat: Sliwa currently polls in single digits, far behind Mamdani and Cuomo, who together capture over 70% of early Democratic voter support

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